If science fiction films have warned us once, they've warned us a thousand times: machines will be the demise of us all. But in an unexpected ray of hope from across the ocean, some scientists may be working to prevent our impending demise from coming to pass.... OR ARE THEY?
The notion that our doom will come at the clamps, blades, hydraulic rams or holographic actuators of our own creations dates back long before science fiction - probably back to about the time of the invention of fire.
Somehow we've always felt, subconsciously, what was coming... the legendary golems of Jewish lore, Shakespeare's 'The Tempest' (and the 1956 film reboot 'Forbidden Planet'), most of James Cameron's filmography, all of them point the same way.
But soon, the "Center for the Study of Existential Risk" - also known as (and I kid you not) 'the Centre for Terminator Studies', is set to open its doors at Cambridge U. in England.
It's intended purpose will be to investigate the 'greatest threats to the human species' and will be staffed by some of the best-known names in respectable scientific harrumphology, including Britain's Astronomer Royal Lord Rees and another estimable fellow who is actually named - I'm still not kidding - "Huw Price".
Before you go thinking this is a positive sign of hope, wisdom and foresight, go get your double-thick eye protection and take a look at this other news item: the Europeans are also working to develop the world's most powerful laser.
It is intended focus nearly 200 million, billion watts of energy onto a single dot, and someday will be capable of - again, I wish I was joking - "ripping apart the fabric of space-time" itself. (they said it, not me...)
For those who have not already figured out, this doomsday instrument - which is being compared to the Star Wars 'Death Star' weapon - will also be located in the UK. They hope to have the first stages of the machine operational by 2017.
Before 2018, I suspect all the longstanding debates about gun control is going to seem pretty... quaint. The end is near!
The notion that our doom will come at the clamps, blades, hydraulic rams or holographic actuators of our own creations dates back long before science fiction - probably back to about the time of the invention of fire.
Somehow we've always felt, subconsciously, what was coming... the legendary golems of Jewish lore, Shakespeare's 'The Tempest' (and the 1956 film reboot 'Forbidden Planet'), most of James Cameron's filmography, all of them point the same way.
But soon, the "Center for the Study of Existential Risk" - also known as (and I kid you not) 'the Centre for Terminator Studies', is set to open its doors at Cambridge U. in England.
It's intended purpose will be to investigate the 'greatest threats to the human species' and will be staffed by some of the best-known names in respectable scientific harrumphology, including Britain's Astronomer Royal Lord Rees and another estimable fellow who is actually named - I'm still not kidding - "Huw Price".
Before you go thinking this is a positive sign of hope, wisdom and foresight, go get your double-thick eye protection and take a look at this other news item: the Europeans are also working to develop the world's most powerful laser.
It is intended focus nearly 200 million, billion watts of energy onto a single dot, and someday will be capable of - again, I wish I was joking - "ripping apart the fabric of space-time" itself. (they said it, not me...)
For those who have not already figured out, this doomsday instrument - which is being compared to the Star Wars 'Death Star' weapon - will also be located in the UK. They hope to have the first stages of the machine operational by 2017.
Before 2018, I suspect all the longstanding debates about gun control is going to seem pretty... quaint. The end is near!
About the Author:
Ben Scott is a blogger whose muse is shadenfreude (a German word meaning "laughing at another's misfortune") - you can read more of his satire at Why We're Doomed and if you enjoyed this piece, you'll probably love this post!
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